Acid didn't say a word as they drove through the Arrondissements, seeking a warehouse district of some sort, like the Batignolles-Monceau or Butte-Montmartre.
With the Gunship no longer part of this operation, and Archlich being unreasonable - though he'd practically known it wasn't going to work, he'd still hoped it somehow would - there weren't many paths left to take.
He couldn't call any outside help in, as just about everybody still clung to the directives of days long past, probably the paramount part of the Law being not to interfere in the evolution of underdeveloped species.
Acid didn't take it too literally, and there were some who sided with him on this, but a lot of people did. No, this would require an altogether different approach.
"Say Kef, how good are you at transmitting telepathic messages securely across short distanes?" he wanted to know of the demon.
Of course, in Acid's definition, 'short' was anything less than the diameter of a 25-world planetary system...
--------------------
"Yes, reunions are all fine and dandy," Vern sighed, and not just in response to Experiment. It looked like just about everyone had gotten distracted.
He turned to Moonscribe, "Hey, I know you've got a lot on your mind, but this isn't the time to play silent brooder. I've no doubt that Archie will put two and two together soon, if he hasn't already, and step up his efforts to wipe out your rebellion before we have a chance to consolidate with them..."
--------------------
"I guess that makes just as much sense as anything else right now." SENECA answered, a very audible shrug in her voice, "Vern? Yeah, I'm with him too. And yeah, I can kinda be in multiple places at once. Perk of the job, so to speak. Though...it's not looking likt the best time to interrupt right now. What ya need, maybe I can help...?"
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
"Interrupt anyway." Cobalt demanded. "I want to talk to him and those people now and get me a video feed too."
She sat there for a moment staring at the computer, then her expression softened a bit. "Please?"
The purple demon shrugged.
"Under normal circumstances, I'd say 'infallible.' But, after what we've just seen of the depth of Archliches influence, I'm forced to concede that I'm probably only 99.999% effective.
"Why? What're ya thinkin?"
And I suppose youd rather have the girl be artificial? Midas snapped to Experiment. Dont touch her, you bumbling idiot! Shes been through enough without having you confusing her about a past she doesnt remember in which she didnt actually exist!
---------------------------------
Cyba, meanwhile, was examining the ship while holding the Philosophers Stone tightly in her cybernetic hand. She wasnt touching anything, but the way she passed her hand over every piece of equipment could make anyone uneasy.
I must ask you, my dear, how did you get here? the Stone asked seriously.
Since Im dead in this world and you came near the hole in that closet- she began to explain.
Hole? the Stone asked.
Dont ask me, wherever I came out of was definitely unusual. I got pulled through and immediately knew the situation, like someone had implanted all the information in my head. She explained, ending with a tone of intense dislike. It was like I didnt exist and then I was suddenly created, but I know Ive already lived.
You seem to be handling it well. The gem replied kindly.
No use panicking. Ive been through worse. Cyba said with a flick of her hair.
Perhaps immediately worse and pertaining to us, but I dont think weve ever faced anything this dramatic. Dr. Philliss voice noted. Weve both dealt with the Mallus Mundi before, and Im not happy to hear that its back and wreaking havoc.
Ive never been madder than when Scirocco tried to change you! Cyba hissed.
Yes, but we stopped him from turning the world to brainwashed idiots, and the book was supposed to be destroyed. I dont understand how he got it back so quickly!
Cyba rubbed the Stone against her forehead with a sigh. Nothing about this magic crap makes any sense, were just going to have to kill whoever did this and set things right.
Which means we need the help of allies, and I need my body back! the Stone reminded her. The version of me here may be preferable to Sciroccos version, but weve still got to get rid of him!
Just give me a little time, I know you well enough to figure out something. Cyba smiled.
And I know me well enough to know Id do anything for you. The gem chuckled, flashing momentarily.
Anger flashed within Experiment's eyes, and he aimed his arm at Midas. "Don't you DARE tell me what I can and can not do. And don't you DARE say that she didn't actually exist. Quite a few people would say otherwise. Even as a 'bot, she had emotions, feelings, or at least what seemed like them. In any case, she affected many people. So don't say that she didn't actually exist..."
A spine began protruding from his arm threateningly. "Or I may take that as a threat to hurt her. And trust me, you don't want to threaten her when either me or Hal is around. It will not end well for you."
Always looking for an excuse to use brute forced against a defenseless man, arent you? Midas shot back, his face contorted with rage. I dont care what you say Essex has done, she was mechanical before, that means she was artificial! Youre the one whos threatening her, trying to change her back to a lifeless state for your own comfort and threatening the man whos keeping her safe!
((stop fight))
Essex's green eyes widened as Experiment scooped her up and hugged her tightly. Her voice muffled in her shoulder, her deathly pale cheeks tinged pink as her feet dangled off the ground.
"Mice foo shee foo moo..." she said tentatively, her voice muffled by the tight hug.
As he released her, she looked up at him and Midas as they bantered back and forth.
"Ah... I can still heal people...even if I'm not a robot." she said to Experiment, pulsing a green wave of magical energy as if to show him. "And my father is a magibiologist, though his lab is full of all sorts of technological stuff."
Suddenly her eyes widened.
"Wait!" she said. "We should go to my father's lab! He's got all sorts of things that could help us out, and I'm sure he would help us..."
She murmured as an afterthought, "...As long as my stepmother doesn't find out."
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
((Gah! Sorry! Been, you know, playing the game and all. 
))
((Oh yeah, and *REMOVES SHIRT*))
[ QUOTE ]
"And trust me, you don't want to threaten her when either me or Hal is around. It will not end well for you."
[/ QUOTE ]
"That would be correct," Hal said, his hands glowing and leveled at Midas.
"Now, now," Moonscribe said, coming out of his reverie (sp? XP) and turning to Hal, Experiment and Midas. "As he said, he is defenseless. Being wrong is not a crime. You have no reason to harm him."
". . .Wait. Does that mean you agree with us?" Hal said, eyes widening, but Moonscribe had already turned away.
"My apologies, Pharaoh," he said, bowing to Vern. "Yes, I can secure a route to Rosalind's location for you. I wish I could take you there myself, but unfortunately, I have not had a chance to place the necessary seal on her person. The coordinates will do, I hope. . ."
He began typing, and SENECA began receiving them. "Oh, but it seems Essex would like to visit her father. . ."
"I'm going wherever she goes," Hal said immediately, and then stopped, and looked nervously to Essex. "Uh. . .that is. . . if that's okay with you."
"Well, we could always split up," Moonscribe said. "But that often leads to humorous chase scenes and bumbling villains in bad costumes. So perhaps a second opinion?" he said, nodding to Vern.
((*headdesk*
*headdesk*
*headdesk*
Vern: "Stop."
Me: ". . ."))
"I'm figuring we're already being tracked." Acid answered Kefetasura, "You know, the old lead-me-to-your-hideout scheme. Now, from what SENECA showed me of the data about the rebellion, they've got someone classified as a 'psychic'. I'm hoping they mean telepath. If you can, I'd like you to contact her and see if we can set up a rendevouz point..."
((Since Ivory Engine knew about Rosie, I'm going to assume the SP has a file on Cortianna too. 
))
--------------------
"I'll do you one better." SENECA almost giggled as she got an idea, "Watch this."
And suddenly, Cobalt stood right on the Dark Airship's bridge, with everyone around there - however, everything was a bit fuzzy, and it was rather easy for her to tell it was all just a hologram. Still, she could hear everything they said.
"My idea of teleconferencing." SENECA added, "Go ahead, they can see and hear you just fine..."
--------------------
"Ohhh no we don't." was the response from Vern just as the hologram of Cobalt appeared in the bridge, "We're having enough trouble just getting everyone together in the first place. First we meet up with Rosie, then we go from there."
Turning to Cobalt, he continued, "So what happened to you then...?"
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
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OOC: lol, hold on posts until I get back from class to advance the story.
Until I have time to actually post. >_>
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
The sudden change of scenery was disorienting and as such Vern's question didn't register at first.
"So what happened to you then...?"
"When you just took off? The ship left but I didn't. Apparently this construct of yours is acting like a time-bubble for me. I can't exist outside it so it won't let me exit until the timestream is restored to its original course. I'd appreciate it if you can hurry on that, I don't want to spend the rest of my life down here." Cobalt took on a pouty expression as she look around the bridge area of the ship, looking for someone she might recognize.
Her gaze fell on Tammy. "What's with the big kitty?"
((I'm pretty sure I read that Tam Khat was with you guys.))
((I'm pretty sure you're right. ))
A hand closed over the front of Experiments own, smaller nubs of fingers lowered and a set of serrated claws extended to lightly [censored] the back of his hand. Khat's face filled John's vision as she lurched to her hind legs and glared into his eyes.
The feralness from their first encounter on the rooftop had faded, but the viner was thin, and the rage danced under amber eyes.
"Fighting eachother will only result in dead bodies and won't fix a thing. Sit down, shut up and focus on setting this crap back in order!" Khat growled at Experiment before turning her head, unknowning or uncaring that her mane slapped the man as she turned to Midas. "Same to you pencil neck. Argueing about who or what counts as real won't solve jack."
Releasing Eperiment's hand, Khat thumped back on all fours and stalked away from the men.
"What's with the big kitty?"
Growling faintly, she looked to the hologram of Cobalt. A few fragments of possible memories drifted up as she looked at the girl.
"Cobalt... Out of Montresor's in an unexpected way I see..." Her muzzle curved into a fanged smirk.
-----
Cortianna blinked at Rosie before turning to Bear with a sniff.
"I'll stay out of your head when you learn to keep from yelling out every third thought that flashes across the three brain cells you have." She gave the archer a condencingly comforting smile. "But don't worry, unless they pose a threat to me or Rosie, I'll not reveal or act on any of your secrets. It's not my way."
With that, the pryokinetic turned back to the path. Her mind marking each of her three companions and holding their thoughts above the jumble of primitive animal impulses that filled the wilds with a noise only she was hearing.
Pinnacle
Heroes
When in danger, or in doubt; Run in circles, scream and shout.
Cobalt looked at Tam and a confused expression crossed her face. "Out of Montressors? If you by out on a field trip when this [censored] happened then yeah you could say that. How do you know?"
Tam's appearance was altered be unrecognizable, but a pattern matching program running parallel to her brains own memory search found enough matches in the voice and other characteristics to come to a conclusion.
"`Tchyo za ga`lima!"* Cobalt shouted. "Tammy?"
((* Basically Russian for 'What the [censored]?'))
Midas looked furious at the two so-called heroes threatening him for doing the right thing. It was always the same, that way! Every time he tried to do something good, the brainwashed conservative heroes would jump in and try to defeat him and somehow save the day, which didnt need saving in the first place! He didnt put anyone in jeopardy, damn it!
Ignorant charlatans! the scientist growled as he turned around, holding his hands on his head. Hed love to teach those self-righteous fools a lesson!
Cyba grinned and the Philosophers Stone pulsed.
You know, in the real world, you could defeat heroes like them like it was nothing
. The cyborg reminded him as she put a hand on his shoulder and drew close. You wouldnt have to leave an innocent little girl in the wrong hands. You dont think youre being greedy by not ascending to your true self, do you? she finished, sounding concerned for him.
Midas huffed and turned on her angrily, and her face darkened as he looked the other way. She made a motion as if to slap the back of his head, but halted and just shook her head with an innocent smile, walking back into a corner to have a hushed conversation with the Stone.
Essex, will you come over here and speak to me, please? Midas asked the little girl. Id like to talk to you privately about your father.
Experiment raised an eyebrow toward Tham as she turned away, frowning. "...Hm. That was odd..." He looked at his hands, the spine that had been pretty much ready to extend fully now firmly back in place, "...Interesting."
He shrugged, smiling as Midas called Essex over. "You know, her father is... Well, I suppose in a way, was... Unless he still is sort of the same... Well, in any case, he is pretty awesome. If you are going to talk about him, at least keep it mostly positive. No need to badmouth a doctor... Unless they are being completely ignorant and or stupid... Not that I am implying anything of course, my friend..."
I think you are implying something, you senseless wretch of a psychotic idiot! Midas roared as he walked right up to Experiment, not letting his height bother him. Keep insulting me and youll reap the same rewards as the brainwashed heroes that came before you! I dont care what her father was in the old world, in this world I have reason to believe that he may very well be-
He cut himself off, glancing to Essex, and said in a hushed tone so the girl couldnt hear, Dead.
Essex obediently followed Midas, waiting for him in the corner as he verbally sparred with Experiment.
"Why do we have to fight when we're all on the same side?" she mused to herself, a little sadly.
Luckily, she missed what Midas had said, just shifting her footing uneasily. Tam was rather close by, and the large she-cat soon found Essex's pale, white arms snaking around her fuzzy neck.
The little girl needed a hug, and she was quite willing to go to the closest thing to a plush toy she could find for it, nuzzling distractedly into Tam's shoulder.
------------------------------------------------------
Suddenly sniffing the air, Rosalind paused. Her eyes narrowed.
"...I smell an ambush." she muttered. Flipping her radio into a readied position, she threw a coded message over the secure channel. It was quite possible for the members of the other chapter of the Rebellion to pick this up, as this was only a frequency distributed only between the two divisions.
This is the Hound. Repeat - this is the Hound. Transmitting a code Crocodile - I repeat, a code Crocodile. Allied units are advised to take extreme care. Over and out.
Rosalind sighed listlessly, letting her hand fall to the side. She didn't want to admit it...and Cortianna could sense it....but she was lost. Without her clandestine fortress....well....the were-human didn't know what they could do.
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
"Gah!" Hal said as Essex asked everyone to stop fighting. "I'm sorry, okay? I just. . ."
"Please, Pharaoh," Moonscribe said, raising a hand. "I am picking up a signal from Rosalind's faction. . ."
"I'm so confused and have no idea what's going on," Hal sighed, sinking to the floor.
"An ambush?" Moonscribe said, pondering. "Do they know we are coming, I wonder? We should really be on our guard. . ."
((We also should really wait until Khell gets back and posts like he said several posts ago. <_< Unless that's changed and I didn't know about it.))
Cobalt crossed her arms and watched the bickering. "Well I guess I should start building a campfire, 'cause obviously I'm not going anywhere for a long time if these are the people I'm gonna be counting on."
Thuel steped over the hostile corpses, he jammed his foot into one who surrivied barely. Steping inside the next room, was a simple classroom setting, books, desks, everything and more that was needed for teaching nowadays. Looking at the corner of the classroom he noticed a passage way that must have been carved out by the hostiles.
Thuel approached the passageway with caution. . .
Essex?! Midas shouted with concern, running to the little girl and plucking her off Tam hastily. Stay away from that thing! Who knows how dangerous it could be, its a feral metahuman!
He walked several yards away and set Essex down gently on her feet, bending to meet her level. Would you mind telling me about everything your daddy did and said to you before he left, anything unusual, I mean, not just everything.
Experiment would have impaled Midas on the spot when he walked up to him had Essex not been there. Even if he had been quickly killed, it would have been worth it to see that stuck-up, over-protective, meta-humanist little...
...Happy thoughts.
Then, when Midas pulled Essex away from Tam, he rolled his eyes, but decided to stay quiet. Well, quiet enough for Midas not to hear anyway. He walked up to Tam, whispering. "Okay, if you grab him, I will tear off the legs. I wanna see him hop around on his torso."
It was obvious he was joking... Or, at least, his voice made it seem it was obvious. Of course, if anyone knew him, they would know he was rather unpredictable at times...
((Aren't ANY of you going to wait for poor Khell? He's gotta feel so left behind by now. ))
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
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OOC: Don't mind me. I blame finals, after all. >_> And also myself for being busy when both Commie and Soviet are on MSN, thus preventing me from getting their story post lined up.
You guys just go ahead and whatever, as long as you don't leave the ship until Commie gets his post in. Especially you, Devious. I want to see what Acid does while he's being followed. Kinda important to plans.
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
Experiment frowned, standing up. "Hm... Damn. First time I see you people in... Woah, how long has it been? I can't even get a date right in my head right now... But it has been a long time... And now, the heal-bot isn't even a heal-bot!"
He grumbled slightly, blowing upward to get the hair out of his eyes.
"Well, this day has royally sucked so far..."